fines

A chemical company that makes vinyl chloride has been slapped with fines for safety and health violations.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said on Thursday that it cited the Westlake Vinyls Co. for 10 safety and health violations. The fines total $67,000. The company can contest.

Jack Turner, the acting director for OSHA in Baton Rouge, said Westlake Vinyls "exposed its employees to avoidable workplace hazards that can cause serious injury and possible death."

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu says a transportation bill that Congress is close to approving includes a provision to steer 80 percent of the fines BP PLC is expected to pay in water pollution penalties stemming from the Gulf oil spill to pay for restoration in five Gulf states.

BATON ROUGE — Fine and penalty money the state receives because of the Gulf Coast oil spill will be earmarked to Louisiana's coastal protection fund, under a bill that received final legislative passage.

The measure by Jeanerette Rep. Simone Champagne deals with money that could be received by the state for violations of federal pollution standards, a figure that could total billions of dollars. The coastal protection fund, where the money would be placed, is used for coastal restoration projects and hurricane protection efforts.